Five Reasons Why Winter Is A Great Time For Travel And Exploration

Most people go away and get out and about during the warmer months because they’ve been led to believe that summer is the best time for travel and exploration. Well, we’re here to convince you that winter is, in fact, an excellent time for a holiday and some fun activities, too. Here are five reasons why you should plan an escape during these colder months. 

1. Some destinations are simply just better in winter 

Places with hot tubs, jacuzzis and indoor fireplaces are way better in winter. No one’s snuggling up with a glass of red wine or a cup of tea next to a fireplace in summer, whereas winter provides the opportunity to relax fireside with a good book and something warm to drink. Also, destinations such as the Kruger National Park are best explored in winter for a number of reasons, including the fact that the animals don’t like being out in the heat of summer which means that you get better game viewing opportunities during winter. If you’re in the Park, be sure to stop over at the Kruger Station precinct. This precinct has a trendy deli, cool cafe and a number of things to warm up  the whole family while in between game drives. 

2. Winter food is the best

Hello soup, stews, curries, delectable meat and more! Winter in Cape Town means that restaurants across the city are trading in the fresh summer menus for warm winter ones, with many offering specials on certain winter dishes or pairings. Tobago’s at Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, for example, has a curry and wine pairing menu offering the option of three curries that have been expertly paired with delicious wines from Waterford wines. One of the curries is a vegan option while another comes with sweet chutney made from Waterfront grapes. There are deals like this all over South Africa, so do look out for them. 

3. Local winter activities and special events

Hotels, restaurants and other event specialists go all-out over this period to bring you unique activities and things to enjoy in order to attract locals and tourists to their establishments during a period that is usually slow on visitors. Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge, for example, has introduced a fireside chat for guests of the hotel. During this time, guests gather in the Bridgehouse sunken lounge that overlooks the sun setting over the Sabie River, and enjoy exclusive conversational evenings with people of honour who have extraordinary tales to tell and unique life quests to share.

4. It’s red wine season

Technically, any season is red wine season but, during winter, reds really get their time to shine. From merlot to cabernet to shiraz and more, red wine can be enjoyed and appreciated a lot more during these colder months as they quite literally warm you up from the inside. If you’re wanting to know more about red wines, Cape Town Tourism has put together a handy guide to South African wine that not only explains the different types of red wine, but also gives advice on where to get the best wines and how to do a wine tasting.

5. You can snag the best holiday deals 

There are usually holiday deals galore during this time. Over the last few months, we’ve seen a rise of the budget-conscious traveller, so winter is the perfect opportunity to snag some very interesting experiences as you explore. Gone are the days when you had to spend exorbitant amounts of money just to travel beyond your city. Whether it’s a staycation, a beach getaway, or a long-haul trip you’ve been wanting to do for ages, travel has become more accessible with tools to help you find a holiday fit for your budget. By using a global flight search and travel deals website like Cheapflights, you are able to find flights, accommodation and inspiration on things to do for any place in the world you’re interested in.